Ridgewood students Skype with scientists

By Salvatore Trifilio

CORRESPONDENT |

Ten years ago teachers were armed with little more than a textbook and their enthusiasm to tackle the task of inspiring America's youth to become doctors, scientists, authors or even teachers themselves.

MARION BROWN/staff photographer

Willard School second grade student Julia Szymanski (in green) asks a question to oceanoic explorer Fabien Cousteau via Skype. Willard School teacher John Altieri is seated next to the laptop.

But today, educators like Willard School's John Altieri have a slew of technologies at their disposal that allow their students experiences that were once just science fiction.

On Thursday, June 12, about 60 students at Willard School took a trip more than 1,400 miles south and nine miles off the coast of Florida, to the world's only underwater marine habitat and laboratory, all without leaving the comfort of room 122.

"There is only so much an individual teacher can offer, and when we have other people sharing information with these kids, that enhances their education and their experience," Altieri said.

Altieri's second-grade class, in collaboration with first- and fifth-grade classes, became the first and only New Jersey classes to join Fabien Cousteau and his crew's Mission-31 during a half-hour Skype session.

Cousteau, grandson of the famous oceanic explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, and his crew are in the middle of a month-long expedition 63 feet below the surface, where they will spend 31 days conducting research and growing coral reefs. As part of its mission, the crew is hosting Skype sessions with classes throughout the country in an effort to inspire young students.

"We're going to need your help to turn things around [in the oceans]," said Kip Evans, a cameraman who is documenting the expedition. "We're really depending on you guys to study hard and help out."

Evans spoke to students about endangered coral reefs and ocean species around the world and urged students to get involved, a topic of study Altieri's class has been engaged with throughout the year.

"To be able to have the opportunity to link up with scientists who are working … to see what they are doing beyond the classroom, it is something that enriches what we are learning here," Altieri said.

In addition to Cousteau's brief appearance, the students were taken on a guided tour of Aquarius, the underwater habitat, by Evans. He and Mission Scientist Andy Shantz, a Ph.D. candidate at Florida International University, also fielded questions from curious students.

Altieri told The Ridgewood News that this is just one of many experiences of the sort. Throughout the year, Altieri has been setting up Google Hangout video chats with any "scientists" that will make themselves available to his students.

"We've actually made calls to other scientists," said Altieri, many of whom are relatives of fellow educators at Willard.

However, Altieri explained the meeting with Mission-31's crew merited some special preparation.

In the months leading up to the Skype session, the class read parts of Jacques-Yves Cousteau's biography, and even participated in "field work" around the school grounds.

Having the students clean the grounds around the school of litter gave them a hands-on-approach to learning how land and ocean environments affect one another.

Willard has a number of green initiatives that students are involved in, and a Skype session with Mission-31 allowed them to add an ocean conservation theme into their work.

Many students took something away from their experience, whether it be a bit of knowledge about how coral reef grows, or a newfound interest.

"I really liked learning about Aquarius," said Owen Herrera, 8. "Now I really want to learn how to dive like the scuba divers."

Altieri said his class will share what they learned with the rest of Willard. He believes the lessons learned during their Skype session will go beyond spreading scientific knowledge.

"We're not only going to use this to teach about science, but to inspire everyone to help keep our lands and Earth clean and healthy," he said.

Ridgewood students Skype with scientists

Willard School second grade student Julia Szymanski (in green) asks a question to oceanoic explorer Fabien Cousteau via Skype. Willard School teacher John Altieri is seated next to the laptop.

By Salvatore Trifilio

CORRESPONDENT |

Ten years ago teachers were armed with little more than a textbook and their enthusiasm to tackle the task of inspiring America's youth to become doctors, scientists, authors or even teachers themselves.

But today, educators like Willard School's John Altieri have a slew of technologies at their disposal that allow their students experiences that were once just science fiction.

On Thursday, June 12, about 60 students at Willard School took a trip more than 1,400 miles south and nine miles off the coast of Florida, to the world's only underwater marine habitat and laboratory, all without leaving the comfort of room 122.

"There is only so much an individual teacher can offer, and when we have other people sharing information with these kids, that enhances their education and their experience," Altieri said.

Altieri's second-grade class, in collaboration with first- and fifth-grade classes, became the first and only New Jersey classes to join Fabien Cousteau and his crew's Mission-31 during a half-hour Skype session.

Cousteau, grandson of the famous oceanic explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, and his crew are in the middle of a month-long expedition 63 feet below the surface, where they will spend 31 days conducting research and growing coral reefs. As part of its mission, the crew is hosting Skype sessions with classes throughout the country in an effort to inspire young students.

"We're going to need your help to turn things around [in the oceans]," said Kip Evans, a cameraman who is documenting the expedition. "We're really depending on you guys to study hard and help out."

Evans spoke to students about endangered coral reefs and ocean species around the world and urged students to get involved, a topic of study Altieri's class has been engaged with throughout the year.

"To be able to have the opportunity to link up with scientists who are working … to see what they are doing beyond the classroom, it is something that enriches what we are learning here," Altieri said.

In addition to Cousteau's brief appearance, the students were taken on a guided tour of Aquarius, the underwater habitat, by Evans. He and Mission Scientist Andy Shantz, a Ph.D. candidate at Florida International University, also fielded questions from curious students.

Altieri told The Ridgewood News that this is just one of many experiences of the sort. Throughout the year, Altieri has been setting up Google Hangout video chats with any "scientists" that will make themselves available to his students.

"We've actually made calls to other scientists," said Altieri, many of whom are relatives of fellow educators at Willard.

However, Altieri explained the meeting with Mission-31's crew merited some special preparation.

In the months leading up to the Skype session, the class read parts of Jacques-Yves Cousteau's biography, and even participated in "field work" around the school grounds.

Having the students clean the grounds around the school of litter gave them a hands-on-approach to learning how land and ocean environments affect one another.

Willard has a number of green initiatives that students are involved in, and a Skype session with Mission-31 allowed them to add an ocean conservation theme into their work.

Many students took something away from their experience, whether it be a bit of knowledge about how coral reef grows, or a newfound interest.

"I really liked learning about Aquarius," said Owen Herrera, 8. "Now I really want to learn how to dive like the scuba divers."

Altieri said his class will share what they learned with the rest of Willard. He believes the lessons learned during their Skype session will go beyond spreading scientific knowledge.

"We're not only going to use this to teach about science, but to inspire everyone to help keep our lands and Earth clean and healthy," he said.